2025 Acura MDX vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with minor updates to the Wilderness trim, featuring a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding contrasted beautifully with the Autumn Green Metallic color of the Touring XT model, offering a unique and appealing aesthetic. The Outback's various trims showcased different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim displaying the most chrome, which was tastefully done. Wheel designs varied across trims, with the Wilderness trim sporting matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Onyx Edition and higher trims featured larger and more refined designs. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with its luxurious Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, a step above the standard leather and synthetic options in lower trims.

The 2025 Acura MDX received subtle styling updates, including a new grille, revised front bumper, and darkened lights, enhancing its sporty appearance. The interior saw significant changes with the introduction of a new touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the previous touchpad interface and adding more storage. The MDX Advance and A-Spec Advance trims benefited from seats previously exclusive to the Type S model, while the Type S received a new seat design. Acura improved cabin quietness with added sound insulation and acoustic laminated glass. The MDX's controls were logically placed, with a volume knob and quick-access buttons for essential features, making it user-friendly. The new A-Spec Advance trim combined luxury with a sportier look, and the test vehicle's price approached $70,000 with additional options.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a Lineartronic CVT were standard across the lineup. The Touring XT test car's turbo engine provided a better driving experience compared to the base engine, with the CVT simulating eight distinct gears. The Outback offered a comfortable ride, aided by its suspension and wheel design, and had a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, with the Wilderness trim offering 9.2 inches and additional off-road features.

The 2025 Acura MDX positioned itself as a performance-oriented luxury SUV, with the Type S model featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Most buyers opted for the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Acura's SH-AWD system was optional on lower trims and standard on higher ones. The MDX offered various driving modes, with Sport mode providing the best powertrain response. The A-Spec Advance trim achieved an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed 18.4 mpg. The MDX handled well on twisty roads, with smooth body motions and a comfortable ride, though it wasn't designed for off-roading, offering only 7.3 inches of ground clearance.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered ample interior space despite its sleek design. It provided more front-row headroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and competitive rear-seat legroom. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat starting with the Premium trim. Higher trims added features like heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The hands-free power liftgate was standard on most trims, and the Outback's roof rails with retractable cross bars were a practical touch.

The 2025 Acura MDX offered luxurious interior features, with the Advance and A-Spec Advance trims boasting 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage programs. The second row could be configured as a bench or individual seats, with a foldable middle section for added convenience. The third row was less comfortable for adults, best suited for children. The MDX provided adequate in-cabin storage, with a new center console and wireless charging pad. Cargo space measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 71.4 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured a mix of old-school and modern technology, with a CD player available on the Touring trim and both USB-C and USB-A ports on most trims. The top-trim model had an 11.6-inch infotainment screen, while the base trim retained a dual-7-inch setup. The Starlink multimedia platform included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connectivity starting from the Premium trim. The Outback offered Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on most trims.

The 2025 Acura MDX introduced a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Alexa and Google Built-in, replacing the previous touchpad interface. The system offered a natural and intuitive interface, though SiriusXM required streaming via Bluetooth or smartphone apps. AcuraLink connected services and an AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The MDX featured Bang & Olufsen audio systems with up to 31 speakers on higher trims. The infotainment system paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 10.5-inch head-up display, providing comprehensive information. The MDX Advance and A-Spec Advance trims included a surround-view camera system for added convenience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It featured the EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were standard on higher trims. The Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.

The 2025 Acura MDX featured the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance technologies, with an expanded AcuraWatch 360 package available on the Type S Advance trim. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. AcuraWatch 360 added front cross-traffic alert and evasive steering warning. The MDX received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though SH-AWD models lacked a rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2025 model.